Universities Research and Development 2025-11-12
2025-11-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK's universities produce world-class research, but there is a need for better commercialisation opportunities due to inadequate proof of concept funding and complex equity and intellectual property arrangements.
What steps her Department is taking with universities to develop its research and development policies. The hon. Gentleman pointed out that the Government’s proof of concept fund is 30 times oversubscribed, and current equity and intellectual property arrangements deter investors and entrepreneurs. He asked for a commitment to expand proof of concept funding and reform barriers hindering university spin-outs.
The hon. Gentleman is right; we do not lack in great ideas or start-ups but need better support to scale up. The Government are supporting this through various measures on UK pension schemes and across the board. While there may be more to do, expanding proof of concept funding and addressing barriers is a top priority.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific expansion plans for proof of concept funding were not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The Business and Trade Committee visited the Cavendish laboratory in Cambridge, where the key issue was balancing research funding between post-doctorates and PhD students.
Would the Minister arrange for me to meet UK Research and Innovation and the appropriate people to resolve this long-running issue of balancing research funding between post-doctorates and PhD students?
Absolutely, I will arrange for my hon. Friend to meet the relevant Minister and UK Research and Innovation to ensure we get this right, as it is crucial to backing our world-leading researchers and turning research into innovation and future growth.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy